Search Engine Exploration Activity

Objectives:
To learn about conducting more effective online research using specialized search engines, known credible sources, and rating sites.

Time:
20 minutes for steps 1-3
10 minutes for large group discussion

Instructions:
1.  Visit http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/infosrv/lue/webwizard/ to "Test Your Web Knowledge."  Review your results. With a partner, share one valuable thing you think students could learn by taking the test.

2.  Locate three web sites in your discipline that you could adapt for a similar assignment.  We will ask for volunteers to share with the group.

     Refer to the following sites for assistance:

Specialized search engines
http://searchenginewatch.com/links/Specialty_Search_Engines//

Known credible sources
http://bedfordstmartins.com/hacker/resdoc/

Tufts rating site
http://navigator.tufts.edu/

3.  Which search engine is best?

The one (or two) you learn to use the best

Our favorite
http://google.com/

For more information about specific search engines and how they work
http://searchenginewatch.com/links/Major_Search_Engines/

Resources and links we recommend
http://www.public.asu.edu/~vpantoja/resources.html

4.  Volunteers report on your findings for the group.


Veronica Pantoja, Laura Bush, Arizona State University, Center for Learning & Teaching Excellence


 

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Pajama Research on the Web
Last Updated: 10 June 2002 Veronica.Pantoja@asu.edu